Letter: Law puts freedom under the gun

To the editor

Published 8:31 pm, Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Photo: Lori Van Buren

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Governor Andrew Cuomo holds a press conference at the Capitol about a bill to broaden the state's definition of banned assault weapons, increase penalties for those convicted of gun crimes and create a statewide registry of assault rifles on Monday Jan. 14, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union) less

Governor Andrew Cuomo holds a press conference at the Capitol about a bill to broaden the state's definition of banned assault weapons, increase penalties for those convicted of gun crimes and create a ... more

Photo: Lori Van Buren

Letter: Law puts freedom under the gun

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Letters recently were sent to Gov. Andrew Cuomo from the New York State Sheriffs' Association representing the 58 county sheriffs (http://www.nysheriffs.org) and from the Saratoga County deputy sheriffs' union. Both letters were critical of the SAFE Act and the way it was rushed through the Legislature without public participation.

The sheriffs' association believes testing the boundaries of a constitutional right — that is, the Second Amendment — should only be done with great respect for those boundaries. The governor misused the message of necessity. The Senate leadership failed to exercise its responsibility and acquiesced. Stakeholders in this important issue have been left feeling ignored by their government.

The sheriffs' association approves several parts of the act. They and the Saratoga County deputies, however, strongly disapprove of the act's core: arbitrary definition of assault weapons depriving people of legitimately used semiautomatic firearms, reductions in the capacity of gun magazines and restrictions on the sale of ammunition. Both letters conclude much of the law will affect only law-abiding owners of firearms, mandate severe restrictions of a basic constitutional liberty and do nothing to reduce gun violence.

The sheriffs' association states, "Even those thrilled with the passage of this legislation should be concerned about the process used to secure its passage, for the next time they may find themselves the victim of that same process."

It is particularly telling that men and women who are dedicated to enhancing public safety, including shielding citizens from gun violence, find this law so ill-advised and threatening to our liberties.